CPPFES2010A
Inspect and test fire hose reels

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to inspect and test fire hose reels at a customer’s premises, and replace hoses and drums as required. The replacement procedures apply to existing risers fitted with a control valve. The service technician is not permitted to undertake any replacement, maintenance and repair functions that are restricted to licensed trades or occupations.

Application

This unit of competency supports fire protection technicians responsible for testing and inspecting fire hose reels and replacing hoses and drums as required. Repairs to equipment or resources located prior to the control valve are restricted to licensed plumbers only.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Apply rules and regulations to service operations.

1.1

Requirements of relevant rules and regulations are confirmed and applied to work procedures.

1.2

Compliance requirements are checked and in cases of non-compliance action is taken according to organisational policies and procedures.

2

Inspect and test fire hose reels.

2.1

Necessary work permits are obtained prior to entering customer premises.

2.2

Fire hose reels are inspected and tested according to maintenance schedule of relevant Australian standard, and legislative, industry and customer requirements.

2.3

Defects are reported according to technical specifications and work procedures.

2.4

Customers’ premises are left in a clean and tidy condition on completion of inspect and test functions.

3

Replace fire hoses and drums as required.

3.1

Fire hose reel assemblies are replaced according to manufacturers’ instructions, relevant Australian standards, and legislative, industry and customer requirements.

3.2

Replaced fire hose reels are commissioned according to relevant Australian standards.

3.3

Customer premises are left in a clean and tidy condition on completion of replacement functions.

3.4

Documentation is completed and distributed according to organisational requirements.

Required Skills

Required skills

skills to work safely when:

manual handling

using hand and power tools

connecting pipe and hose joining components or systems

applying workplace housekeeping procedures

effective customer service skills

language, literacy and numeracy skills to:

communicate with others clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing

report and record documentation

read and comply with work instructions and specifications

read and record measurements

planning and organising skills to:

estimate time to complete activities

prioritise tasks

interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds

Required knowledge

awareness that operating a fire hose reel may activate a booster pump

implications of cross-threading water connections

key features of legislation, regulations and codes applicable to inspecting, testing and replacing fire hose reels, including:

OHS issues and requirements and actions to take when a breach of health, safety or other policy occurs

purpose of the Building Code of Australia (BCA)

reasons for conducting a periodic maintenance schedule

reasons why activities related to work on reticulated water systems are restricted to licensed plumbers

steps and processes to be followed when unusual or non-documented faults are found

importance of applying legislative requirements to job functions, including possible outcomes and implications of not applying requirements

importance of completing documentation as required, including possible outcomes and implications of not meeting requirements

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed by practical demonstration of inspecting and testing fire hose reels and replacing hoses and drums.

In addition, oral questioning may be used to assess the candidate’s knowledge of:

potential and actual breaches of legislative and industry requirements

types of defects that may be discovered.

All practical demonstrations must adhere to the safety and environmental regulations relevant to each state or territory.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.

In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:

identify potential and actual breaches of legislative and industry requirements

apply understanding of the types of defects that may be discovered and:

which of these may be repaired by a fire service technician

which repairs and replacement activities must be referred to a licensed tradesperson

inspect and test fire hose reels and complete required documentation

replace defective fire hoses and drums and complete required documentation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

access to customer premises or a simulated workplace environment

necessary tools, specialist equipment, manuals, spare parts and relevant documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Guidance information for assessment

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example:

CPPFES2004A Identify types of installed fire safety equipment and systems

CPPFES2006A Prepare for installation and servicing operations.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Rules and regulations may include:

relevant commonwealth and state or territory building Acts, regulations and codes, such as the BCA

relevant legislation and regulations relating to inspecting and testing fire protection equipment, including:

dangerous goods regulations

environmental regulations

international shipping codes

marine codes for different Australian States

licensing arrangements

OHS legislation, regulations and codes

requirements of Australian petroleum industry

relevant Australian standards, such as:

AS 1851 Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment

note: Australian standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency and amendments.

Requirements may be confirmed with:

colleagues

managers

supervisors

team leaders.

Work procedures may include:

assignment instructions

equipment manufacturers’ requirements

instructions from colleagues, supervisor or manager

personal protective equipment requirements

reporting and documentation requirements

specific customer requirements.

Checking compliance requirements may include:

reviewing documentation to verify that installed systems comply with relevant rules and regulations

applying inspection, test and survey requirements according to Australian standards.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

job scheduling systems and communication devices

personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations

recording and reporting documentation and systems

relevant OHS policies, procedures and programs

relevant rules and regulations

standard operating procedures, work instructions and manuals.

Fire hose reels may include:

recess-mounted

swing-hinged

wall-mounted.

Maintenance schedule may include:

checking accessibility

checking ancillary equipment

checking signage

flow rate testing

testing fire hose reel components

visually inspecting fire hose reel and components.

Customer requirements may include:

confirming or varying service instructions

following sign-in and sign-out procedures for entry to or exit from premises

providing non-routine or urgent services

providing routine services

providing written or verbal confirmation of services provided or future maintenance schedule

sighting work permits.

Documentation may include:

application for credit forms

certificates of inspection

corrective action reports

customer recommendation forms

equipment recommendation forms

expense claims

job cards

maintenance record system

motor vehicle fleet cards

petty cash vouchers

product documentation

service agreements

service tags.


Sectors

Fire protection equipment


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

All work in this area must be completed according to relevant legislative, industry, customer and organisational requirements, including occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures.

Different states and territories may have regulatory mechanisms that apply to this unit. Candidates are advised to check for regulatory limitations.